Red State Preaches Civility

As someone who seeks civility and compromise, I keep tabs on the more extreme websites on both the left and the right. Redstate is generally a reliable source of conservative incivility, though mixed with thoughtful arguments about conservatism as well. Recently, Erick Erickson posted this article, calling for Republicans to win based on ideas that make people's lives better, rather than on demonizing the opposition for scandals such as Fast and Furious and Benghazi.

Congratulations Mr. President on your second inaugural.

Saying that makes some of you really enraged. I said the same on twitter shortly after his official swearing in. Several of the replies were embarrassing and atrocious. Some accused the man elected by a majority of Americans of treason. Some accused him of willfully destroying the nation.

I believe the President’s policies are destructive and will harm our economy, our nation, and our sense of national self long term…But I do not think the President means to do this maliciously. I do not think he is treasonous. I do not hate him. I am not outraged by it. The President has done what he set out to do. I cannot be outraged by him doing what he set out to do. I am far more outraged by the Republicans not doing what they said they would do….

Conservatives, frankly, have become purveyors of outrage instead of preachers for a cause. Instead of showing how increasing government harms people, how free markets help people, and how conservative policies benefit all Americans, we scream “Benghazi” and “Fast & Furious.”

The full article is well worth reading and gives me hope for the next four years.

- Ravi Iyer

About Author

ravi

Ravi is the Executive Director of Civil Politics. He has a Phd in social psychology from the University of Southern California and his publications can be seen at http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7vzqWBYAAAAJ&hl=en.

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